Meet Radu Bondar | Comedian & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Radu Bondar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Radu, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I never wanted to! The most frustrating day in any working artists life is the moment they realize they didn’t subvert the premise of getting a job, they started a small business! And guess what? Artists are bad at business!

So the first thing I had to learn is how to exploit myself, because in essence any “opportunity” you get in comedy is somebody with access to distribution who is willing to severely underpay you. I’m not saying to avoid this pipeline (you’ll be lucky to be considered for it), but analyze what the money makers are doing and find a way in, or mimic their process.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I perform standup comedy, specifically club comedy. I end up talking about mostly tense, and politically charged things- as well as variety of topics that are just gross. My goal isn’t to make you uncomfortable, it’s just the tax you have to pay to deal with some of the subject matter I prefer.

Never give up is a great cliche. Honestly if you stick around in any performance scene long enough, someone will get sick or be late and you’ll get your shot. Don’t blow it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m so new to LA that theres no earnest way to answer this- I will say that when I’ve taken friends to Jam in the Van in Culver City it blows their minds- both the shows and the venue itself.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Theres 3 people I have to credit with my success, 2 dead and 1 living.

Nikki Glaser has taught me more about the business of entertainment and how to navigate it then anyone ever will. All of my biggest credits are essentially her asking “you wanna do this?” . Young comics around the world should watch her specials and roast appearances (and F boy Island, but you’ll learn more about comedy from her podcast)

The dead guys are Bill Hicks and Bradley Nowell. Both of them were misanthropic and drug addled to some extent, but they had unbelievable talent and gumption. Neither of them saw the heights of their success while they were alive, and yet their influence may have been greater then most people who got more time here.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radubondar?igsh=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Twitter: @radubondar

Youtube: @radubondar

Image Credits
For the one with the crazy shirt- Greg Feiner